Buoyant pool lounge chair frame and buoyant pool lounge chair using the same

ABSTRACT

A buoyant pool lounge chair frame and buoyant pool lounge chair using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the buoyant pool lounge chair frame for supporting a floatation device while the buoyant pool chair frame is floating in water, a pod frame is provided including a rigid base portion and a window having a vertical opening therethrough. A substantially inverted parabolic surface is positioned at the front of the pod frame and a centra including a rigid back is positioned at the rear of the pod frame such that the window is therebetween. The pod frame is sized to accept a floatation device such that the substantially inverted parabolic surface and the centra engage the floatation device in a load-bearing relationship.

PRIORITY STATEMENT AND CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/330,733 filed on Jul. 14, 2014 in the name of Ulyss Ray Rubey, andissued on Sep. 22, 2015 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,139,263; which claimspriority from U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/846,436 entitled“Buoyant Pool Chair” and filed on Jul. 15, 2013 in the name of Ulyss RayRubey; which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to swimming pool accessories and inparticular to a buoyant pool lounge chair frame and a buoyant poollounge chair utilizing the same for supporting a person in a seatedposition while the buoyant pool lounge chair frame is floating in water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Swimming pools offer personal recreation and relaxation in a variety ofsettings, including private homes, apartment complexes, motels, resorts,and country clubs. Various flotation devices including buoyant chairs,rafts, water wings, floating cushions, body floats and air mattressesare used by swimmers as an aid for floating and relaxing on the surfaceof the water, while remaining seated upright, reclining or lounging,either partially or completely submerged. These items of pool furnitureinclude flotation cushions made of a buoyant material such as open cellfoam, closed cell foam, cork, kapok, fiberglass or balsa wood, which aresealed within a protective outer covering. Special care should be takenin the construction of buoyant lounge chairs to provide sufficientbuoyancy material to maintain a stable upright orientation while theoccupant is an a semi-reclining or sitting orientation. The buoyantlounge chair may overturn in response to shifting of its center ofbuoyancy as the occupant turns or moves about and, as a result, there isa continuing need for improved design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to achieve a buoyant pool lounge chair frameand a buoyant pool lounge chair utilizing the same for providing supportfor a swimmer in an upright, semi-reclining or sitting position thatwould improve upon existing limitations in stability and functionality.It would also be desirable to enable a mechanical solution that wouldmitigate or eliminate the chances of the buoyant pool lounge chair beingoverturned in response to shifting of its center or buoyancy. Further,it would be desirable to enable a mechanical solution that provides abuoyant pool lounge chair while leveraging the use of existing poolfloats. To better address one or more of these concerns, a buoyant poollounge chair frame and a buoyant pool lounge chair frame utilizing thesame are disclosed.

In one embodiment of the buoyant pool lounge chair frame for supportinga floatation device while the buoyant pool chair frame is floating inwater, a pod frame is provided including a rigid base portion and awindow having a vertical opening therethrough. A substantially invertedparabolic surface is positioned at the front of the pod frame and acentra including a rigid back is positioned at the rear of the pod framesuch that the window is therebetween. The pod frame is sized to accept afloatation device such that the substantially inverted parabolic surfaceand the centra engage the floatation device in a load-bearingrelationship. In an embodiment of the buoyant pool lounge chair, a poolfloat is releasably engageable with the buoyant pool lounge chair frameto provide a buoyant pool lounge chair. These and other aspects of theinvention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to theembodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of thepresent invention, reference is now made to the detailed description ofthe invention along with the accompanying figures in which correspondingnumerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a buoyant poollounge chair frame being releasably engaged by a pool float according tothe teachings presented herein to provide a buoyant pool lounge chair;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view on the buoyant pool lounge chair framedepicted in FIG. 1 having the pool float engaged therewith to provide abuoyant pool lounge chair;

FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the buoyantpool lounge chair frame depicted in FIG. 1 being assembled;

FIG. 3B is a front perspective view of the buoyant pool lounge chairframe depicted in FIG. 3A as assembled;

FIG. 4A is a rear elevation view of the buoyant pool lounge chair framedepicted in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4B is a rear elevation view of the buoyant pool lounge chair framedepicted in FIG. 3B;

FIG. 5 is bottom plan view of the buoyant pool lounge chair framedepicted in FIG. 3B;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 of the buoyantpool lounge chair frame depicted in FIG. 3B; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along line 7-7 of FIG. 5 of the buoyantpool lounge chair frame depicted in FIG. 3B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, whichcan be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring now to FIG. 1 through FIG. 7, therein is depicted oneembodiment of a buoyant pool lounge chair frame, which is schematicallyillustrated and designated 10. As shown, the buoyant pool lounge chairframe 10 engages a flotation device 12, depicted as a pool float, toprovide a buoyant pool lounge chair 14 to support a person while thebuoyant pool chair frame 10 is floating in water. The releasableengagement is depicted by arrow 16 in FIG. 1. Continuing with thedescription of FIG. 1 through FIG. 7, as illustrated, the floatationdevice 12 includes an upper side 20, a lower side 22, and edges 24, 26.In one implementation, the floatation device 12 is defined by acontinuous form of pliable foam material. The floatation device 12 isdesigned to keep an individual afloat in a reclining position separateand apart from the buoyant pool lounge chair frame 10. In oneimplementation, the flotation device 12 is buoyant in water separate andapart from the buoyant pool lounge chair 14. In this manner, the buoyantpool lounge chair frame 10 presented herein leverages the use of anexisting floatation device 12 to provide a buoyant pool lounge chair 14,which includes the buoyant pool lounge chair frame 10 and the flotationdevice 12.

With respect to the buoyant pool lounge chair frame 10, a pod frame 30includes a rigid base portion 32 having a right side 34, a left side 36,a front support portion 38, and a rear support portion 40. The rigidbase portion 32 of the pod frame 30 also includes a top surface 42 and abottom surface 44. A waterproof coating 45 is applied to the rigid baseportion 32. Right and left arm support members 46, 48 are respectivelypositioned at the right and left sides 34, 36 of the pod frame 30. Theright and left arm support members 46, 48 may include respective cupholders 50, 52 positioned therein. In one embodiment, the front supportportion 38 includes a substantially inverted parabolic surface 54 havinga vertex at the top surface 42 opposite the bottom surface 44. As shown,the pod frame 30 is a substantially half-truncated pyramid having anacute scalene triangle profile 56 descending from the rear supportportion 40 to the front support portion 38. A clipped end 58 ispositioned proximate the front support portion 38 at the respectiveintersections of the right side 34 and the front support portion 38 andthe left side 36 and the front support portion 38. In one embodiment, asshown, the clipped end 58 may take the form of a tapered clipped end.

As illustrated, the pod frame 30 includes a window 60 intersecting theright side 34, the left side 36, the front supporting portion 38 and therear supporting portion 40 to provide a vertical opening 62therethrough. The vertical opening 62 is configured and sized to accepta portion of the flotation device 12 therethrough. Front and rearcross-bars 64, 66 traverse the span between the right side 34 and leftside 36 of the pod frame 30. It should be appreciated, however, that thenumber and placement of cross-bars may vary depending on theconstruction and application of the pod frame 30. In one implementation,as shown, the rear cross-bar 66 is at least partially exposed at void67, which is within rear support portion 40, to provide a handle forcarrying the buoyant pool lounge chair frame 10 or a hanging member fromwhich the buoyant pool lounge chair frame 10 may be conveniently storedon an elevated position from a hook or other means. The floatingstability of the buoyant pool lounge chair frame 10 is improved by thebulbous portion 68 of the rear support portion 40, which serves tobolster the floatation device 12 and any occupant therein. The bulbousportion 68 maintains the rear support portion 40 and, by extension, thepod frame 30 in a traverse orientation relative to the centra 70 as anindividual may move within the floatation device 12, which is positionedthereon.

A centra 70 includes a rigid back support 72 positioned between theright side 34 and the left side 36 of the pod frame 30 and extendingfrom the pod frame 30 proximate the rear support portion 40. In oneimplementation, the centra 70 forms an obtuse angle with a base of therear support portion 40 at the bottom surface 44 of the rigid baseportion 32 as shown by angle α. Further, the centra 70 may provide alinear surface and be a concave surface conforming to the traversecurvature of the human spine. The centra 70 may be at least partiallyintegrated with the rear support portion 40, fully integrated with therear support portion 40, or releasably coupled to the rear supportportion 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the centra 70 is releasablycoupled, as shown by arrow 73, to the rear support portion 40 by afastener and, in particular, a hook-and-loop fastener is utilized withcorresponding hook-and-loop fasteners 74, 76 respectively secured to theface of the rear support portion 40 and the rear of the centra 70. Aswill be appreciated, by releasably engaging the centra 70 with the podframe 30, the form factor of the buoyant pool lounge chair frame 10 maybe further decreased for convenient storage and quickly and easilyassembled when removed from storage for use.

In operation, as particularly shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the pod frame30 of the buoyant pool lounge chair 10 is sized to accept the flotationdevice 12 and the flotation device 12 is releasably engageabletherewith. More particularly, the substantially inverted parabolicsurface 54 and the centra 70 are spaced on opposing ends of the window60 and configured to be selectively engageable with the floatationdevice 12 such that the right edge 24 and the left edge 26 of theflotation device 12 may form a friction fit or a slidable engagementwith the right and right arm support members 46, 48. The lower side 22of the floatation device 12 at least partially engages the substantiallyinverted parabolic surface 54 and the centra 70 in a load-bearingrelationship such that a portion of the flotation device 12 is in thewater.

As shown, the inverted parabolic surface 54 and the centra 70 areconfigured to selectively receive the flotation device 12 such that theflotation device forms a wave 80 having a trough 82 at a front of theflotation device 12, a crest 84 at the substantially inverted parabolicsurface 54, another trough 86 within the vertical opening 62 between thesubstantially inverted parabolic surface 54 and the centra 70, and acrest 88 proximate to the centra 70. To further assist the releasablyengagement between the flotation device 12 and the buoyant pool loungechair frame 10 in furtherance of the buoyant pool lounge chair 14,fastener members may be coupled to the flotation device 12 and thebuoyant pool lounge chair frame 10. By way of example, fastener memberssuch as hook-and-loop fasteners 90, 92 may be secured to thesubstantially inverted parabolic surface 54 of the front support portion38 and the centra 70 to mate with complimentary fastener members on theflotation device 12 and provide releasable engagement therewith.

In the illustrated implementation, the window 60 includes a seating span100 from the front support portion 38 to the rear support portion 40 ofapproximately a distance from a popliteal fossa (i.e., rear of the knee)to a pelvic area along a distance of femur. Moreover, the window 60includes a reach span 102 from the right side 34 to the left side 36 ofthe pod frame 30 of approximately a shoulder width such that anindividual may place his or her arms on the respective right and leftarm support members 46, 48.

As constructed, in one embodiment, the buoyant pool lounge chair frame10 may be designed as a continuous form of pliable foam material ofconstant or appropriately varying density that varies in thickness toprovide the rigid base portion 32 having the coating 45 thereon. Theconstruction may include molded foam being provided by a single moldingprocess, and may include void spaces of select shapes to accommodate thecup holders 50, 52 or cross-bars 64, 66, for example. In one embodiment,the construction includes slabs of closed cell polyurethane foam, suchas closed cell polyurethane foam F, having a density in the range ofapproximately 1 lbs/ft3 (16 kg/m3) to approximately 6 lbs/ft3 (96kg/m3). In one embodiment, the cross-bars 64, 66 and centra 70 may beconstructed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material. In the instance of thecentra 70, the PVC material may comprise a lightweight yet rigid boardof moderately expanded closed-cell PVC extruded in a homogeneous sheetwith a low gloss matte finish. Such a closed-cell PVC is old under thebrand name SINTRA. In another embodiment, multiple closed-cell PVCboards may be used sandwiched between foam slabs to increase therigidity of components such as the right arm support member 46, left armsupport member 48, and rear support portion 40. The protective coating45, which is water proof, may be applied by various processes, includingdipping and spraying, for example. Further, the pod frame may be made bya partially or fully blow molded process depending on volumes. It shouldbe appreciated that although a particular construction and materials arepresented herein, the construction of the buoyant pool lounge chairframe 10 presented herein may vary according to the particularapplication and other constructions and choices of materials are withinthe teachings presented herein.

As previously alluded, special care should be taken in the considerationof buoyant lounge chairs to provide sufficient buoyancy material tomaintain a stable upright orientation while the occupant is in asemi-reclining orientation following, in the present application, theengagement of the flotation device with the buoyant pool lounge chairframe to provide the buoyant pool lounge chair. Such special care iswarranted as any buoyant lounge chair can overturn in response toshifting of its center of buoyancy as the occupant turns or moves about.In one embodiment of the buoyant pool lounge chair frame 10, buoyancysufficient to support an adult occupant having a body weight of 250 lbs(113 kg) is provided by the construction.

The order of execution or performance of the methods and operationsillustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwisespecified. That is, elements of the methods and flows may be performedin any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methods mayinclude more or less elements than those disclosed herein. For example,it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular stepbefore, contemporaneously with, or after another step are all possiblesequences of execution.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrativeembodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in alimiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of theillustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the inventionwill be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to thedescription. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claimsencompass any such modifications or embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A buoyant pool lounge chair frame for supportinga floatation device while the buoyant pool chair frame is floating inwater, comprising: a pod frame including a rigid base portion having aright side, a left side, a front support portion, and a rear supportportion; right and left arm support members respectively positioned atthe right and left sides of the pod frame; the front support portionhaving a substantially inverted parabolic surface; the pod frame being asubstantially half-truncated pyramid having an acute scalene triangleprofile from the rear support portion to the front support portion; thepod frame including a window intersecting the right side, the left side,the front and the rear to provide a vertical opening therethrough; frontand rear cross-bars traversing the span between the right side and leftside of the pod frame; a centra including a rigid back supportpositioned between the right side and left side of the pod frame andextending from the pod frame proximate the rear support portion; the podframe sized to accept a floatation device having a first side, a secondside, a first edge and a second edge, the floatation device beingdefined by a continuous form of pliable foam material; and thesubstantially inverted parabolic surface and the centra being spaced andconfigured to be selectively engageable with the floatation device suchthat the first edge and the second edge form a friction fit with theleft and right arm support members, the second side at least partiallyengages the inverted parabolic surface and the centra in a load-bearingrelationship such that a portion of the flotation device is in thewater.
 2. The buoyant pool lounge chair frame as recited in claim 1,wherein the centra is at least partially integrated with the rearsupport portion.
 3. The buoyant pool lounge chair frame as recited inclaim 1, wherein the centra is fully integrated with the rear supportportion.
 4. The buoyant pool lounge chair frame as recited in claim 1,wherein the centra is releasably coupled to the rear support portion. 5.The buoyant pool lounge chair frame as recited in claim 1, wherein thecentra is releasably coupled to the rear support portion by a fastener.6. The buoyant pool lounge chair frame as recited in claim 5, whereinthe fastener comprises a hook-and-loop fastener.
 7. The buoyant poollounge chair frame as recited in claim 1, wherein the window comprises aspan from the front support portion to the rear support of approximatelya distance from a popliteal fossa to a pelvic area.
 8. The buoyant poollounge chair frame as recited in claim 1, wherein the window comprises aspan from the left side to the right side of approximately a shoulderwidth.
 9. The buoyant pool lounge chair frame as recited in claim 1,wherein each of the left and right arm support members further comprisesa cup holder.
 10. The buoyant pool lounge chair frame as recited inclaim 1, further comprising fastener members coupled to thesubstantially inverted parabolic surface, the fastener membersconfigured to mate with corresponding fastener members associated withthe flotation device.
 11. The buoyant pool lounge chair frame as recitedin claim 1, further comprising fastener members coupled to the centra,the fastener members configured to mate with corresponding fastenermembers associated with the flotation device.
 12. The buoyant poollounge chair frame as recited in claim 1, wherein the rear cross-bar isat least partially exposed.
 13. A buoyant pool lounge chair frame forsupporting a floatation device while the buoyant pool chair frame isfloating in water, comprising: a pod frame including a rigid baseportion having a right side, a left side, a front support portion, and arear support portion; right and left arm support members respectivelypositioned at the left and right sides of the pod frame; the frontsupport portion having a substantially inverted parabolic surface; thepod frame being a substantially half-truncated pyramid having an acutescalene triangle profile from the rear support portion to the frontsupport portion; the pod frame including a window intersecting the rightside, the left side, the front and the rear to provide a verticalopening therethrough; a centra including a rigid back support positionedbetween the right side and left side of the pod frame and extending fromthe pod frame proximate the rear support portion; the pod frame sized toaccept a floatation device having a first side, a second side, a firstedge and a second edge, the floatation device being defined by acontinuous form of pliable foam material.
 14. The buoyant pool loungechair frame as recited in claim 13, wherein the centra is at leastpartially integrated with the rear support portion.
 15. The buoyant poollounge chair frame as recited in claim 13, wherein the centra is fullyintegrated with the rear support portion.
 16. The buoyant pool loungechair frame as recited in claim 13, wherein the centra is releasablycoupled to the rear support portion.
 17. A buoyant pool lounge chair forsupporting an individual while the buoyant pool lounge chair is floatingin water, comprising: a floatation device having a first side, a secondside, a first edge and a second edge, the floatation device beingdefined by a continuous form of pliable foam material, the flotationdevice being buoyant in water separate and apart from the buoyant poollounge chair; a pod frame including a rigid base portion having a rightside, a left side, a front support portion, and a rear support portion;right and left arm support members respectively positioned at the leftand right sides of the pod frame; the front support portion having asubstantially inverted parabolic surface; the pod frame being asubstantially half-truncated pyramid having an acute scalene triangleprofile from the rear support portion to the front support portion; thepod frame including a window intersecting the right side, the left side,the front and the rear to provide a vertical opening therethrough; frontand rear cross-bars traversing the span between the left side and rightside of the pod frame; a centra including a rigid back supportpositioned between the right side and left side of the pod frame andextending from the pod frame proximate the rear support portion; the podframe sized to accept the floatation device; and the substantiallyinverted parabolic surface and the centra being spaced and configured tobe selectively engageable with the floatation device such that the firstedge and the second edge form a friction fit with the left and right armsupport members, the second side at least partially engages the invertedparabolic surface and the centra in a load-bearing relationship suchthat a portion of the flotation device is in the water, when the buoyantlounge chair is floating in the water.
 18. The buoyant pool lounge chairframe as recited in claim 17, wherein the centra is at least partiallyintegrated with the rear support portion.
 19. The buoyant pool loungechair frame as recited in claim 17, wherein the centra is fullyintegrated with the rear support portion.
 20. The buoyant pool loungechair frame as recited in claim 17, wherein the centra is releasablycoupled to the rear support portion.